The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee began as a non-musical play called C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, performed by the improvisational group “The Farm.” The show was later developed into a fully staged musical but retains several sections that rely on the actors to give and take in the moment with very little pre-planning. One of the reasons I was drawn to this show, as a director, is the playful unexpectedness and improvisational tone. In addition to improvisation as part of the finished show it is essential to our rehearsals.   As an acting exercise I invited six of the actors from our show to sit down with me for an interview, in character.  This short film is a glimpse into that interview and is framed as a mockumentary a la Inside the Actor’s Studio.   Filmed and edited by our Upper and Middle Schools’ Film Instructor, Olivia Gunn, this video is a quick glimpse into what’s in store during the actual show.  Featured in the video below are Avalena Linsky, Dyer Rhoads, Olivia Troiano, Nora Daly, Scott Ralston, & Will Manny.